palmerleeberry

Nice to know how the construction on Outlaw Run is coming along. You said your visit to Silver Dollar City that day was crowded, and when you provided the shot of all those riders waiting to get on board the "Fire In The Hole" ride that's when I finally believed you. When Outlaw run is up and running with a ton of riders waiting to get on board, I wonder what Silver Dollar City will do fo an encore (maybe do something with that old tower that was once held a waterslide ride)? "I know what you should so for an encore: go to bed!"

Okay, all you riders and amusement park flyers out there, I've just came back from my visit to Kings Dominion during the Labor Dar weekend. It's been a whole year since I last visited this park, and I have a few things I would like to comment on. #1 - I like how they did the Fast Lane on certain rides, especially the Volcano. On other rides, I saw new walkways constructed for the Fast Lane. And they actually have a Fast Lane for the Wave Swinger? I can understand having Fast Lane for the Windseeker and the Triple Spin, but for the Wave Swinger? Only at Kings Dominion. #2 - Did Kings Dominion forget to announce that The Grizzly is thirty years old?!? I didn't forget; in fact, to celebrate this ride that has been around since I was in the eighth grade I rode it twice! And I also noticed that the queing line for this coaster was rebuild due to the Dinosaurs Alive attraction next door, so that makes it Four Times this coaster's queing line was changed during its operation. And speaking of operations, I thought the Grizzly ran smoother from previous years, but still had some rough spots. #3 - And what about the two new attractions: Windseeker and Dinosaurs Alive? I loved the Windseeker and how high I was up in the air and seeing this side of the park 300 feet up in the air, but what I didn't like about it was the long line of people waiting to ride and how long it took the ride attendants to finally dispatch the ride. As for Dinosaurs Alive, it was nice to see Kings Dominion finally use a section of the park that has been untouched since it first opened its doors in 1975. Nobody should sell this attraction short because just when you thought you knew everything about dinosaurs, this attraction will show you that you still have a lot to learn, especially on the newer species of dinosaurs. I believe this attraction will be around for a long while and it was worth the five bucks to get in. #4 - They closed Treasure Cave! #5 - I don't have anything for #5, so go to #6. #6 - After looking around the park, I think I may have spotted where Kings Dominion can place their next attraction(s). The area behind Chick-fil-a and where the now-closed Treasure Cave sits has amble space to put in some attractions, should this be for Planet Snoopy. There is a "Boo boo's Tree Swing" in this area which can be renamed as "Kite-Eating Tree Swing". As for the record breaking aspect, maybe it means the number of new attractions that will debut next season. For all those seasons I've been coming to the park, Kings Dominion has always provided a new attractions ( and in some years, two attractions such as they did in 2002 when Ricochet and Triple Spin debuted), so perhaps the record breaking could mean the biggest number of new rides that will be in the park and all for Planet Snoopy. Now all this could be speculation and what Kings Dominion actually does could knock everybody's socks off! September 13 cannot come soon enough. Well, that's all for now. It time to make like my old pair of pants and split! (waking up)"Huh? You're finally finished? Then come to bed!" (goes back to sleep)

^Hey, if that's the case, then I know I'll be getting that CEDAR FAIR PLATINUM PASS because Kings Dominion would have added another ride I want to ride sooooo many times. "And I rather have you sleep with me sooooo many times."

I was at that park three years ago, and on that day of my visit the park was crowded ( Let me repeat that: it was CROWD-DED!). How crowded was it? See that picture of the Corkscrew? Now imagine that whole queing line full, plus a long line of riders waiting outside the entrance. You didn't list how long the wait time was for the Corkscrew in your report, but I think that when you took that picture of the Corkscrew doing its thing, it was probably in the eveningtime. The ride was crowded when the park opened up, but when I came back to ride it later in the evening, you could walk up to the station (but there were still a crowd of people waiting in the aisle, so you still had to wait, but not so long). But that's okay; any ride that has a long line of riders waiting to ride it is beautiful to me. But I'm confused about one picture and its captioning: in one picture you stated that the tilt-a-whirl even had a long line, but in the picture shown there were a line of people waiting to ride the trambant. Was it an oversight or did they placed the tilt-a-whirl next to the trambant and the picture looked like the trambant had a long line of riders? As for the park itself, I'm sure they could benefit with some more family flat rides such as the kite flyer and the bike rider (like the one at Morey's Piers) and maybe even an intimidating flat ride. But if the park decides to get a roller coaster from B&M or Premier, then that would be awesome! They do have plenty of space to work with. "Hey, you're dreaming again. How many times have I told you: you don't dream unless you're laying your head on me!"

I must confess: with this teaser coming from Kings Dominion and all this speculations, September 13 cannot come soon enough. I know I'll be visiting the park this Labor Day weekend and I will try to look for anything that's out of place, such as any land clearing or markers, or any fences that usually wouldn't be there. But I bet I won't be finding anything because these people are usually so good hiding their upcoming attractions until the very last moment. When I first saw the teaser, the first thing that popped into my mind was "Planet Snoopy". Yes, I agree that area could use a little expansion and a few more attractions (I'm thinking their own version of the Woodstock Express coaster), but then I thought what could be so record breaking about Planet Snoopy? Maybe it is or maybe it's not. And here's another thought: where are they going to place this new attraction and will they have to (gasp!) remove an existing attraction to place it in? Like I said before: September 13 cannot come soon enough. "Here's an idea: why don't you just come to bed and sleep for days and days and I'll betcha that September 13 will soon arrive.

That was a great photo trip you did for Kings Dominion and it got me excited because I'm planning a visit there during Labor Day Weekend (I got a great ticket deal online). When seeing the many photos of Kings Dominion's many colorful coasters, you even surprised me with some shots you couldn't get unless you were able to walk behind the scenes (that shot of Rebel Yell's turnaround was aces high!). Then all those night shots, when all the rides are illuminated and Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular is turned on, were fabulous! "zzz . . .zzz . . .zzz"

Oh Boy, I think you may have stumbled upon a topic that should be well worth studying to determine what was the largest relocated coaster in amusement park history. I know I can rule out coasters such as Wild Mouse, Flashbacks, and Goliath (located at Six Flags New England) because these rides occupy small sites. With Kings Dominion's Dominator being the world's longest floorless coaster and Six Flags Great Adventure's Green Lantern being the world's longest stand-up coaster, that will be a big matter up to debate. I will say that I've seen rides moved around within their own parks and other rides relocated to other parks, and it should be a marvel for the technology we have today that makes these moves possible. "I know something else that will be a marvel - you coming to bed!"

I got to ride my first X-flight coaster while I was visiting Six Flags Great America and that ride was awesome! With Cedar Point getting their own version of that coaster and having not one but two keyhole pass-throughs makes me want to consider if I should get a season pass for Cedar Fair parks next season. With both Kings Dominion (my home park) and Cedar Point also having Windseeker (and the fact that I rode my first extreme swing called "Sky Screamer" at Six Flags St. Louis and ended up riding it twice in a row because it was soooo fun) I am highly tempted (if you pardon the pun)! Of course, the season pass I'm talking about is The Platinum Pass because I think I would like to visit Soak City as well. "If you're finished, then how about going to Sleep City? I'm waiting for you."

Oh boy, I was ready to add to the speculation of what Hersheypark will put in after Roller Soaker is cut up and shipped out to some other park that could use a coaster like that. I was about to suggest two possible candidates for Roller Soaker's replacement: a racing mat slide or a superduper water coaster (like Hoilday World's Wilderbeest). I'm sure either one of those would bring in more sliders and hopefully keep the line at my favorite ride, The Merry Derry Dip, down to a point you just walk up and ride ( it's a joke that I have with Hersheypark.). Then something happened - The Roller Soaker is not for sale! Hersheypark has no plans to remove Roller Soaker and states that some people "jumped the gun" ( which I think is a load of BULLFROGS!!!) when it came to making announcements. Oh well, there is no need for any of us to get upset over this and start protesting by riding the The Merry Derry Dip until we wear out the seat of our pants because I'm sure that those people who "jumped the gun" will be dealt with the harshest penalty I can think off: ride the The Merry Derry Dip until their rear ends fall off. I bet that'll teach them. Of course, if anyone out there that is planning to visit Hersheypark and to ride the The Merry Derry Dip in protest of this misinformation, then please go ahead. Just don't tell them I've told you to if you get arrested for hogging the slide. "Okay, do you feel better now? Then come to bed!"

As a rider and amusement park flyer, I do believe that themeing inside an amusement park is very important since it help set up the scene and atmosphere in the area of the park your in. While some themes are great and well put out in some Six Flags parks, there are others that I feel are lacking. There are even some areas that I feel like they put a collection of rides in there and tell you to try to imagine how it'll fit that area. And there are others that would mix up the theme (such as put a ride named to a superhero in a western themed area. Now I feel that shouldn't be done that way. An Old West area should have rides themed to the Old West, An Outer Space area should have rides themed to outer space, and so on. If the major parks abandoned their themes, then they would be just like the smaller parks, just a collection of rides without any different theme areas. "There should be a "Sleeping" theme to the parks. The only ride you'll ever need is a bunch of beds and lots of white, fluffy pillows. Why doesn't Six Flags do that? I'm sure it'll be a big hit!"

Silver Dollar City is the place that has a cave you can tour through, a couple of interesting coasters, many shows, a log flume that will soak you to the bone, and now Outlaw Run !!! I just came back from Silver Dollar City last week and I was half crazed and half excited when I was able to see the structure up close during the train ride - Holy Moly: were those inversions on the thing, a woodie coaster? The train announcer couldn't comment on the upcoming structure except to say that the offical announcement will be made August 9. Now I see what it is and what it's called, I'm still half crazed and half excited. "I can remedy that: just go to bed and you'll be normal in no time flat!"

All righty then, I've just came back from Holiday World and I got ride both Wildebeest and Mammoth and I must say that both of those water coasters are way beyond descriptions of greatness!!! Plus with how efficently the ride attendants kept the water rafts going and the lines moving must also be noted with satisfaction. The extra benefits for the single rider like myself cannot be ignored, even though I had to wait in line like everyone else for Mammoth until we came to the point where the single rider's line split with the other line, and I still had to wait until there was an opening for me to get on and ride. With two great water coasters under their belts, and many Golden Ticket Awards they've earned, it makes you wonder what Holiday World is going to do next? "I don't know, so why don't you come to bed and sleep on it?"

Wow, way to go, Hoilday World!!! To celebrate this achievement, I'll be there for two days riding anything I can find, water side or dry side. "I wish you would stay in bed for two days. Think of all the fun we can have together."

Oh yeah, that was one great Photo Trip Report on Knoebles (even though it was done last year due to the fact that the Black Diamond Ride was still under construction during your visit)! Even though you featured a few rides, there were so many other rides you could have shown that would be interesting to the other riders and amusemnt park flyers and make them want to come on down to Knoebles. First, you could have shown them the Looper, perhaps the only one of its kind. Then how about the Whip? No park in Pennsylvania would ever operate without The Whip. The Tea cups ride is also unique (I only saw one other ride like that and it's in Adventureland, Iowa). And lest I forget, the park has two carousels, two train rides, and the merry mixer. Plus no pictures of the Haunted House, Knoeble's famous dark ride (for shame, for shame)? And did you know that in one of the stores they have a carousel musuem that features many carousel horses on display? So what can you do about it? Well, at least you have a good excuse to return to Knoebels. I know I will this coming October because I have more Fascination and Pokereno tickets to win. "I wish you would win more 'go straight to bed' tickets."

I'm glad that this park is being used for something; however, I hope the film crew "get it right" when it comes to filming scenes within an amusement park (anyone remember "Zombieland" and its climax inside an amusement park? The filmakers there got everything wrong - such as rides don't automatically run themselves when the power is turned on; you need ride attendants to operate them!). I'll be looking forward to the latest installment of Percy Jackson when it hit theaters. Now as for life after the movie shot is wrapped up, this area formerly known as Six Flags New Orlean is being planned to be turned into a mall. I'm hoping that this mall could be something like Old Town near Orlando, Florida - a mall that has shops and amusement rides. I know some rides will have to be scrapped due to their state of detoriation, but I'm hopping that some rides can be rebuilt (I'm thinking about The Swamp Fox roller coaster in Family Kingdom, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) while others can be salvaged, restored, and brought back to new life. And if all else fails, bring in some new rides! And not just shops can be added to the mall site, but maybe even some entertainment complexes (I'm thinking about Broadway at the Beach, also in Myrtle Beach). If I'm not mistaken, there should be a lake right in the middle of the park that would be perfect for boat rides across and around the lake. But whatever is on the drawing board, it should be something that would even attract a rider and amusement park flyer like myself. In conclusion, let's hope the plans will finally stick this time; I'm getting sick of getting great expectations only to be disappointed because the plans fell through. "Hey, if you're sick, then I have a solution: lay your head upon me and I'll make you better again!

. . . having a great day inside an amusement park: you rode all the rides you wanted to ride, the weather was good, and you end up leaving the park with a huge stuffed animal under one of your arms. "Happiness is when the person who's posting this reply is with me with his head nestle comfortably upon me!"

"Wow, Far out Man, that is so cool with the latest update" Maybe getting the Flying Turns opened by October of this year doesn't sound so far fetched. I do plan on revisiting Knoebles in October with a friend regardless of the Flying Turns condition (I've got some Fascination and Pokereno tickets to win, plus with my friend with me I can finally ride the Big Ferris Wheel). One more thing to note: There was a long line for the Log Flume? From all the times I've been there I've never seen a line for the Log Flume ever being THAT long. It must have been a very hot day, although many people would be heading to the pool or to their shoot the chutes ride. Besides the log flume at Kings Dominion, Knoebel's Log Flume is my second favorite. "Sorry, I don't feel like talking anymore. I just want to sleep."

^Yessireebob, that should encourage the riders and amusement park flyers to come out to Holiday World." So now it begs the question: what will this park do next as an encore. I mean, you've got two awesome water coasters, a couple of woodies that are slated to be fitted with Timberline trains, and free sodas are served throughout the park. So methinks I have an idea and I'll toss it out for free: another themed area! Of all the hoildays that are still left, how about an Easter theme? I can think of two rides that'll fit this area: One, a mad mouse coaster using rabbits-shaped cars and it's called "The Bunny Hop"; and two, a tea cup ride in which the cars are shaped and colored like Easter eggs. Then put in a candy shop that sells jellybeans, chocolate eggs, and other Easter treats and you've got yourself EASTER!!! How's that for an encore? Of course, this is just wishful thinking. I have no idea of any rumors nor what Holiday World will be putting in next, but I thought Easter would fit the bill nicely. What do all you riders and amusment park flyers think? "I think you typed enough and should come to bed. You need your rest."

I have seen something like that at least a few times - with Sidewinder in Hersheypark valleying to the late Two-Face in Six Flags America valleying and to the even late Hypersonic XLC in Kings Dominion that didn't make it over the top. Even though safety protocols are in place; still, seeing something like that can freak out some riders and cause some of them to quickly exit the line and head over to a safer ride, like the carousel. Even being stuck on the lift hill of a coaster can cause some people to think they are going to die when all they're doing is just standing still. Now I've never been stuck in a "valley" position before, but I've been on several coasters in which the train stopped on the lift hill just for a few seconds before the motor kicks on and the chain begins moving once more. As for the report, and knowing that I will be visiting Six Flags St. Louis in a couple weeks, I'm glad that nobody was hurt and the coaster wasn't damaged. The only cause was that the power went off during the ride. Since I want to ride Mr. Freeze when I get there ( not to mention the other rides such as Xcaliber and Shazam!), I'm hoping the ride is operating when I get there and also hoping the power doesn't quit when I'm riding it. One last thing: what ride from Six Flags over Texas is rumored to take the place of Tidal Wave for next year? I've got a better question: what about the Water Street Cab Company (i.e. the bumper cars)? I heard that attraction is being moved out, so the question is will they place it in a new area ( that will have a much better station) or will they take it out completely? If those bumper cars are part of the ride roatation system, then I don't know any Six Flags park that could use the bumper cars. Does Six Flags over Texas even have the bumper cars? How this for a trade, St. Louis gets Flashback and Texas gets the bumper cars? Oh what a trade! "I'm think about a trade myself: to someone you wants to sleep with me all the time!"

^Thanks to all of you for enjoying my take on humor, but how about I'll just boycott Kentucky and just urge anyone else to join me if they want to. Anyhow, I hear THE ARCH and Silver Dollar City is calling for me. "Oh really? They're calling for you and you don't hear little old me? You are a crumbcake!"

^ I believe you mean "sense", but I have to agree with you - it doesn't make since nor sense. I guess that ( and this is just my craziest theory yet - mind you) the state of Kentucky and Louisville probably don't want us riders and amusement park flyers around anymore. Here we had was not one, but several attempts to reopen the park, and those higher ups in charge end up throwing out roadblock after roadblock, thus causing so much delay that the project got stalled and soon was cancelled. PAUSE TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH Now I'm not an expert, but I think that this sort of tactic can cause some unexpected side effects, and I think we should show them we are NOT HAPPY about this situation one bit! ANOTHER PAUSE TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH But what can we do to protest this in a way that won't leave us arrested and blackballed on a terrorist watch list for the rest of our days? The solution is simple: we boycot Kentucky! We don't travel to any destination inside Kentucky, we don't tour any attraction site within the state of Kentucky, and we don't spend any travel money inside Kentucky, PERIOD! If enough travelers took that sort of action, the lack of revenue should cause an alarm, inasmuch cause those higher ups to beg for anyone to come in and reopen Kentucky Kingdom. Of course, that is wishful thinking, but it could work and it's something I know I'll be doing this summer. PAUSE TO LAUGH LIKE AN EVIL MASTERMIND So anyway, that is my take and the main reason why I'm traveling to St. Louis and Branson this year, and not to Louisville. "And now pause to go to bed and lay your head upon mine."

Wow, thanks for the photo TR on Morey's Piers and even one on Hellcat at Clementon Park. Here are my thoughs and comments. 1) Not too many Condor rides - You're right on that and it's a pity because this is always one awesome ride. I know of only two other parks that has these ride: Hersheypark and Six Flags Great America. 2) On that small coaster next to the Doo Wop (the red tracked Mad Mouse coaster), please no disrespect on the Flitzer. It may be a small coaster, but it can pack a lot of thrills like the giant-sized coaster. I wish more parks had this type of coaster. 3)I love Rollies coaster (and any other coaster of its type). What was exciting about that photo was that there wasn't anyone in line - you can just walk up to it and ride until your heart says "enough!" 4)Good for you to get the VIP tour of Ghost Ship. One time through it was enough for me! 5)I wish I could have rode "IT", but "IT" couldn't fit me inside those skinny wink seats. I blame my big chest for this. 6) I was at both Morey's Piers and Clementon Park last year. Although I had fun at Morey's Piers, Clementon Park didn't have enough to satisfy me and warrant a revisit. I felt it was missing a small family coaster, a dark ride attraction, and bumper cars. Plus, on the day of my visit, the log flume was down, which added to fact that I didn't enjoy my time there. But Hellcat is still one awesome coaster, but I could only handle just two rides on it. Well, have fun at Knoebles and don't forget to play "Fascination" and "Pokereno" while you're there. "There's a game I wish you would play: it's called 'Going to Bed'!"

Oh great, I can see it now - "Please secure all loose articles before boarding. And in the interest of other riders around you, please tie back any long or loose hair!" Do you know what could be worse? What if someone was wearing a wig? Folks, I have seen riders lose their hats on roller coasters, and even seen someone lose their glasses, but I've yet seen anyone flip their wig, but if I did I'll probably do this: That's why I keep my hair cut short. "Oh really? And I thought you kept your hair cut short for me. I'm hurt!"

^Say Goodbye to Dry!!! AS for the location of the Star Flyer, I do believe that Indiana Beach has their Swing ride right out into the lake, where you must walk across a bridge to get to it. The same thing to the Scrambler and the Paratrooper, although they are right at the water's edge. When you ride it and see yourself surrounded by water, you tend to think that you're on a island. A lovely way to ride ( And I'm going to be at Indiana Beach in a few short weeks! )!!! Yesireebob, this is the cure for anyone that's hot and tired on their feet. "Ahem! We pillows are also the cure for anyone who's tire on their feet, but don't want to get wet!"

Here, allow me to fill in the dialogue between the couple just before the coaster car hits that curve: WOMAN - "What do you love about me? Is my charm, my beauty, or my body?" MAN - "Well . . . I believe it would have to be your . . ." (Then the coaster car suddenly hits the curve near the couple and the screams emitting from that car drowns out the man's answer) WOMAN - "Huh? What did you say?" MAN - "I forgot. Loud screams usually cause me to suffer from short-term memory loss!" "And that's our show for tonight. Have a good night, don't drink and drive, and make sure to give your pillows all the loving you can give!"